Representatives, Mediators, Coordinators, and Good Offices

The Security Council has requested the Secretary-General to appoint a variety of representatives and other individuals to assist the Council in addressing situations that threaten international peace and security. In some cases, the Security Council has asked the Secretary-General to use his good offices to address a situation directly. Between 1988 and 2007, the Repertoire has generally not included coverage of representatives and special representatives of the Secretary-General or his good offices. For more information on the good offices of the Secretary-General please see Pacific settlement of disputes and the section on the Secretariat under Relations with other United Nations organs. Below is a list of all of these types of organs that have been covered in the Repertoire, with a short description prepared on the basis of the content of the Repertoire, as well as links to the sections covering them. They are organized by region, and then under relevant areas or subregions, placed chronologically starting with those established most recently.

Content

Africa

Namibia

Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Namibia under resolution 431 (1978)

On 27 July 1978, the Security Council requested the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative for Namibia in order to ensure the early independence of Namibia through free elections under the supervision and control of the United Nations.

Representative of the Secretary-General under resolution 319 (1972)

The Security Council approved the proposal by the Secretary-General on 1 August 1972 to appoint the Representative to assist him in establishing the necessary conditions so as to enable the people of Namibia, freely and with strict regard to the principle of human equality, to exercise their right to self-determination and independence from South Africa. The position of the Representative was terminated on 11 December 1973.

Southern Rhodesia

Representative of the Secretary-General under resolution 415 (1977)

On 29 September 1977, the Security Council requested the Secretary-General to appoint a representative to enter into discussions with the British Resident Commissioner designate and with all the parties concerning the military and associated arrangements that were considered necessary to effect the transition to majority rule in Southern Rhodesia.

Western Sahara

Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara under Security Council resolution 621 (1988)

On 20 September 1988, the Security Council decided to authorise the Secretary-General to appoint a special representative for Western Sahara who would assist the Secretary-General in reporting on the holding of a referendum for self-determination of the people of Western Sahara and on ways and means to ensure the organization and supervision of such a referendum by the United Nations in cooperation with the Organization of African Unity.

Americas

Dominican Republic

Representative of the Secretary-General in the Dominican Republic

In connection with the situation in the Dominican Republic, following the coup against the democratically elected government and the subsequent United States military intervention, on 14 May 1965, the Security Council appointed a Representative to report on the present situation as well as on the implementation of the ceasefire. On 14 October 1966, arrangements were made for the withdrawal of the Representative.

Falkland Islands (Isla Malvinas)

Good offices of the Secretary-General under statements dated 1 April and 5 May under resolutions 502 (1982) and 505 (1982)

In connection with the question of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas),on 26 May 1982, the Secretary-General was requested to undertake a renewed mission of good offices with a view to entering into contact with the parties involved in the dispute in an effort to negotiate mutually acceptable terms for a ceasefire.

Asia

East Timor

Special Representative of the Secretary-General to East Timor under resolution 384 (1975)

On 22 December 1975, following the Indonesian military action towards East Timor following the withdrawal of Portugal, the Security Council requested the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative to East Timor for the purpose of making an on-the-spot assessment of the existing situation in East Timor and of establishing contact with all the parties in the Territory of East Timor and all States concerned with a view to establishing a peaceful solution to the crisis.

India/Pakistan

Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the India/Pakistan subcontinent

On 21 December 1971, in response to the 1971 war between India and Pakistan, the Security Council authorized the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative to lend his good offices for the solution of humanitarian problems.

Representative of the Secretary-General in the matter of withdrawal of troops by India and Pakistan

Pursuant to resolution 215 (1965) of 5 November 1965, the Secretary-General appointed a personal representative to meet with the representatives of India and Pakistan for the purpose of formulating an agreed plan and schedule for the withdrawal of troops following the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. After the withdrawal of troops on 25 February 1966, the position of the Representative was terminated on 28 February 1966.

Europe

Cyprus

United Nations Mediator in Cyprus

On 4 March 1964, the Security Council recommended that the Secretary-General designate a Mediator to use his best endeavour with the representatives of the communities and also with the Governments of Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and the United Kingdom, for the purpose of promoting a peaceful solution and an agreed settlement of the problem confronting Cyprus.

Middle East

Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Middle East

On 22 November 1967, following the June 1967 Arab-Israeli War, the Security Council requested the Secretary-General to designate a Special Representative to proceed to the Middle East to establish and maintain contacts with the States concerned in order to promote agreement and assist efforts to achieve a peaceful and accepted settlement.

Iran

Good offices of the Secretary-General in connection with the situation in Iran under resolution 457 (1979)

On 4 December 1979, in connection with the situation between Iran and the United States over the seizure and prolonged detention of United States nationals in Iran, the Council requested the Secretary-General to lend his good offices for the peaceful resolution of issues between Iran and the United States.

Iraq/Kuwait

United Nations Coordinator for the return of property from Iraq to Kuwait pursuant to resolutions 686 (1991) and 687 (1991)

Pursuant to resolutions 686 (1991) and 687 (1991) in the context of facilitating the return of all Kuwaiti property seized by Iraq, the Coordinator was mandated to receive, register and submit to Iraq all claims presented by Kuwait and to facilitate the return of property declared by Iraq to be in its possession.

Iran/Iraq

Good offices of the Secretary-General under Security Council statement dated 23 September 1980 and of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General under Security Council statement dated 5 November 1980

On 23 September 1980, in connection with the Iran-Iraq War, the Security Council supported for the Secretary-General’s offer of his good offices to resolve the conflict. On 11 November 1980, the Secretary-General in the exercise of his good offices appointed a Special Representative to remain in the affected region.

Special Representative of the Secretary-General under Security Council consensus of 28 February 1974

On 28 February 1974, in accordance with the complaint by Iraq concerning the incidents on its frontier with Iran, the Security Council requested the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Representative to conduct an investigation of the events that have given rise to the complaint by Iraq and to report on its findings.